It makes sense for Manziel to request an escape route, and it makes sense for The Spring League to agree to it.

"We're excited to have such a dynamic player in Johnny Manziel taking part in The Spring League", Woods said in a statement. "He's like, "Listen, ' and I'll say the same thing: We're completely different people". But just eight starts over two seasons with the Browns from 2014-15 would qualify as a tiny sample size for any quarterback, never mind one with the extenuating circumstances that accompanied the National Football League stint of the 22nd overall pick in 2014.

During his brief stay in Cleveland, the 2012 Heisman Trophy victor completed 57.0 percent of his passes for 1,675 yards and seven touchdowns with seven interceptions.

No, it won't be as a tryout player in any National Football League camp, or as a member of the Hamiltion Ti-Cats, the CFL team that holds Manziel's rights.

Manziel was accused of assault and domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, and a Dallas grand jury indicted Manziel on domestic violence charges in 2016 and issued a restraining order for him to stay away from Crowley.

Manziel's agent, meanwhile, told Pro Football Talk that the 25-year-old quarterback needs reps and exposure. Can't wait to get back on the field and show National Football League scouts what I can do! Where did that get me? I know it's not the easiest way back for me.

Manziel won the Heisman as a freshman with Texas A&M in 2012 and left school after his sophomore season for the NFL.

Manziel, 25, said he takes medication to treat his bipolar disorder. Manziel's path back to football will nearly assuredly go through Canada and the CFL, where his rights are held by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, coached by June Jones, who tried to recruit Manziel to SMU out of high school. Manziel took to Twitter to announce the news. But I still feel like I have the time to do it and make it happen.